The South Korean government on Sunday said it ordered GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. (GM Daewoo) to recall a total of 58,696 sport-utility vehicles (SUV), compact sedans and microvans in South Korea.

The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs said steering wheels of Winstorm were found to separate from the vehicles if there is an impact, and a defect also was found in fuel hoses of the Lacettis. As for DAMAS, its interior decoration is not up to the satety standards, it added.

The ministry said the move will affect 45,957 Winstorm SUVs sold between April 1, 2006 and Dec. 31, 2007, 12,604 Lacetti Premiere compact sedans sold between Sept. 25, 2009 and March 2 this year, and 135 DAMAS sold between March 24, 2009 and April 6 the same year.

Free repair services would be provided to owners of such vehicles from Monday, the ministry said.

GM Daewoo was formerly known as Daewoo Motor. In 2001 General Motors decided to buy most of Daewoo Motor's assets to form GM Daewoo. Now it is the third largest carmaker in South Korea after Hyundai Motor Co. and its Kia Motors Co..